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New contracts prompt rapid expansion

Sentra Protective sees revenues increase five times in a year
WAUKESHA, Wisc. - After seeing its sales increase from $1 million to $6.2 million in 2003, systems integrator Sentra Protective Systems has moved its operations into a new facility here to house its growing business.
The rapid increase in business has also prompted the company to more than double its staff, growing from eight people to 19, to help handle new business serving an area bank and a casino.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“Our business has just expanded so much in the last year,Ã¢â‚¬Â said Steve Garritson, vice president of Sentra Protective. Ã¢â‚¬Å“We just felt it was necessary to improve our business and to improve our working conditions and then thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s all the right reasons of buying vs. renting.Ã¢â‚¬Â

The new facility provides Sentra Protective with more than 5,500 square feet of space, according to Chris Utter, a vice president of the company and co-owner with Garritson. The company previously operated out of a three-room office in Brookfield, Wisc., that measured 1,200 square feet.

The purchase price for the new building was not disclosed, but Garritson said it features a conference room with a demonstration area for its clients. The demo area shows three types of security systems, a surveillance system and the fire panel for the building.

The new employees for the company are spread across several different departments, with additional people hired in its technical, sales and administrative departments. A key employee who previously worked as a technician was also promoted to supervise operations, a dedicated position the company did not have previously.

Garritson said company officials expect business to remain strong this year and the new location will enable it to add an addition should future business warrant an expansion.